Archer, Edward R. (fl. 1830-1917)to Mr. Newcomb

Summary of Content: Written on Archer’s return from Cuba through the blockade around Florida. First half of the letter details his belief that the war was lost because of the failure of the public to support the war effort. ”...[I]f the people had have stood by them [the Confederate soldiers] and given them all their aid instead of speculating and quarreling among themselves everything would have gone as we could have desired...” However, Archer expresses his belief that the south will rise again--”...but still there exists a smouldering flame which I have no doubt will one day burst forth and fire again the whole southern mind...” Archer contends that the Confederacy fought not only ”...the Yankee and [struck: Negro] Slavery but the whole World!” but thinks that their former enemy has been ”magnanimous enough” to the South since the war ended by extending much credit and demanding little. Second half of the letter details the perilous trip through the Federal blockade and Archer’s eventual safe return to Richmond.